B’nai B’rith International has sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to express dismay at the reports of his intentions to participate in the upcoming summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), to be convened by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran later this month.

In the letter B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin write: “The Iranian regime, which is under steadily increasing international isolation due to its deplorable domestic human rights situation, financing of terrorist groups and illicit pursuit of nuclear weapons, hopes to use this summit and the presidency of NAM to gain some international legitimacy without having to curtail any of the abuses that have led to its international pariah status.”

While the secretary-general’s trip has yet to be formally announced, several news outlets reported he will indeed travel to Tehran and his office is currently working out the details.

The letter also notes: “This summit, however, is not a U.N.-sponsored gathering or meeting and, therefore, there should be no reason why the U.N. must be represented at all, let alone by its highest official. This meeting is intended to be a celebration of the start of Iran’s NAM presidency, and your attendance only gives legitimacy to the Iranian regime.”

B’nai B’rith International supports any efforts to constrain the Iranian government’s pursuit of nuclear arms, finance terrorism and oppress its people. No matter how well-intentioned the secretary-general might frame his business in Tehran, the Iranians will certainly use his visit as positive publicity.